The photoelectric effect is good evidence for __________.(1 point)
Responses
neither the wave nor the particle nature of light, because results vary based on the frequency of light used
neither the wave nor the particle nature of light, because results vary based on the frequency of light used
the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons
the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons
both wave and particle nature, because it blends photons with electrons
both wave and particle nature, because it blends photons with electrons
the wave nature of EM radiation, because it shows how wave amplitude is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons
the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons
The correct answer is:
the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons.
To understand why the photoelectric effect provides evidence for the particle nature of light, we need to understand what the photoelectric effect is and how it works.
The photoelectric effect is the phenomenon where electrons are emitted from a material when it is exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation. This effect was first observed by Albert Einstein and explained by him using the concept of photons, which are discrete packets of energy associated with electromagnetic radiation.
When light is shone onto a material, it interacts with the outer electrons of the atoms in that material. If the energy of the incident light is greater than the minimum energy required to liberate an electron, the electron can be ejected from the material. The energy required to liberate an electron from the material is known as the work function.
Now, the key observation in the photoelectric effect is that the number of ejected electrons and their kinetic energy depends on the frequency (or color) of the incident light. Higher frequency light, such as blue or ultraviolet light, can eject more electrons with greater kinetic energy, while lower frequency light, such as red light, may not eject any electrons at all. This behavior cannot be explained by assuming light is purely a wave phenomenon.
To explain these observations, Albert Einstein proposed that light is made up of discrete particles called photons. Each photon carries a specific amount of energy that is directly proportional to its frequency. When a photon interacts with an electron in the material, it transfers its energy to the electron, allowing it to overcome the binding forces of the material and be ejected. The energy of the ejected electron is related to the energy of the absorbed photon.
Therefore, the observation that the number and energy of ejected electrons depend on the frequency (and, therefore, the energy) of the incident light supports the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation, as described by photons.
Thus, the correct answer is: the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons.
The correct answer is:
the particle nature of EM radiation, because it shows how frequency is proportional to quanta of energy referred to as photons.